The French businessman accused of endangering the health of hundreds of
thousands of women with toxic breast implants has told a court that they had
invented their pain and suffering.

Speaking on Thursday during the final day of his trial in Marseille,
Jean-Claude Mas claimed that his victims had succumbed to a psychosomatic
disorder as a result of intense media interest in the scandal.

Mr Mas, a balding and slightly stooped figure, admitted that his implants
sometimes ruptured and had to be removed, but added: “That’s life.”

Christine Micchi, 48, who is among the 400,000 women worldwide, including
47,000 in